News and Updates – October 2011

NCHCA Fall Dinner Dance

Reservations now available on line at www.nchca.ca (E-Commerce menu tab) This year’s dinner dance is a 70’s theme; make sure to wear comfy dancing shoes! Please bring this newsletter home to your partner, spouse, girlfriend, or better half!! Our dinner dance is being held at the brookstreet hotel on November 12th. See the website for further details and room reservations.

NCHCA Industrial Decals

It is the Association’s desire to increase the visibility of our association and to introduce our new logo. We hope members consider purchasing decals for hard hats, truck decals and bumper stickers. Please place your order online (E-Commerce tab).

NCHCA/City Liaison Meeting

October 21st, 100 Constellation Crescent, 8:00 to 10:00 am, Room 463W. Agenda items should be forwarded to the Association office.

Article from Daily Commercial News

RE: College of Trades, offshore wind eastern Ontario election issues

Please see this article and comments by our President Deborah Mohr-Caldwell, online under the Minute menu item.

Ontario One Call Act

For those members who care about the HUGE opportunity we have before us for mandatory participation in Ontario One Call for ALL facilities owners in the Province of Ontario, we need your help! Simply login to www.digsafenow.com and register using the own home address/postal code information. Simply click on preview email; review the letter which will accompany your email, click to send the email. The email/letter will go to all Provincial Election Candidates within your respective ridings.

A reminder to all members to ensure that your company profiles are updated regularly online as this profile information will be used for the printing of the 2012 Directory.

CNSC Consultations

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is presently conducting industry consultation on a change in policy that will affect road builder and heavy construction members that use portable nuclear density gauges. The proposed new policy will require users of these gauges to provide a financial guarantee to cover the decommissioning costs related to the termination of a licensee’s license. At a meeting on September 26, 2011, the CNSC provided industry stakeholders with additional information related to the implementation and application of the proposed policy. Essentially, a threshold of liability will be introduced to determine applicability of the policy. NEXT STEPS: CCA will review the CCIL letter and, based on the comments of Council members, draft a similar letter supporting the objections raised by the CCIL; CCA will through its contacts within the insurance and surety industries, help arrange a between these industries and the Commission to devise an instrument that will meet the needs of the Commission while at the same time, allow contractors to comply without incurring significant additional expenses ; CCA will also provide the Commission with a formal response, outlining the industries concerns and presenting our recommendations for an insurance or surety-bond based solution. For most contractors, liability will be based on the number of gauges alone. A charge of $3,000 will be applied for each gauge. In addition, the Commission will also apply a one-time $10,000 administration fee on top of a licensee’s overall liability. Companies with a liability of less than $75,000 will be allowed to provide a declaration to the Commission attesting that they have made provisions within their financial operations to set aside funds sufficient to cover the decommissioning of their existing nuclear equipment.

April 4th AGM/Heavy Construction Conference and Exhibit

At the September City Liaison meeting the City indicated that they were interested in developing an educational event for their staff and would be interested in working with the NCHCA on this event. We have a meeting scheduled for October 20th with the City to discuss further.

Companies Banned from Doing Business

Consultations with Councillor Desroches and City staff resulted in changes being made to the motion that were satisfactory to the NCHCA and OCA.

2012 Budget Process

Draft budget is tabled October 26th, Ward budget consultations November 1st to 4th, Committee consultations November 7th to 28th, Approval November 30th. Rate supported budget tabled January 31st, committee consultations February 20th and approved February 22nd.

November 23rd Infrastructure DM Speech

This event with the Infrastructure Deputy Minister has been scheduled for November 23rd in the Colonel By Room at City Hall from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.

Need High School Credits? Are You Working?

Check Out the Credits at Work Program to Earn High School Credits While You Work! St Nicholas Adult High School is part of the Ottawa Catholic School Board. We are very proud to offer a unique opportunity to adults who are interested in obtaining their High School Diploma. Adults can now obtain high school credits while working. For every 110 hours worked (full or part time) a credit can be granted towards your diploma. Please contact the school to register or to obtain more information at 613-228-8888 or 613-234-2768.